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An Examination of the Relationship Between Pediatric Food Allergies and Anxiety Symptoms

Collins, Adelaide Kaitlyn
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6863-5107
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1651437949756776

Abstract Details

2022, BS, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences.
The high prevalence rates of pediatric food allergy in the United States are concerning given the impact food allergy can have on a child’s quality of life. There is a general lack of research examining the relationship between pediatric food allergies and anxiety disorder symptoms. The current study aimed to identify and examine the relationship between pediatric food allergy and overall anxiety symptoms as well as three anxiety symptom subscales: separation anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Participants consisted of the primary caretakers of children ages 7-13 (N = 215) split into a Control group (n = 133) and Food Allergy group (n = 82). Participants filled out the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale Parent Report (SCAS-P; Spence, 1998; Nauta et al., 2004), which was used to assess anxiety symptom severity. Results indicated significantly elevated total SCAS-P scores in the Food Allergy group in comparison to the Control group as well as three SCAS-P subscales: SAD, GAD, and OCD. The results supported the initial hypothesis and suggested higher anxiety symptom severity in food allergic children in comparison to their healthy counterparts. Further research is needed in order to understand the mechanisms of internalizing and inhibitory behavior in food allergic children.
Christopher Flessner, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Lynne Guillot-Miller, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Jennifer Taber, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Sharon Sciartelli, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
38 p.
Psychology
anxiety symptoms; separation anxiety disorder; generalized anxiety disorder; obsessive-compulsive disorder; anxiety disorder; food allergy

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Collins, A. K. (2022). An Examination of the Relationship Between Pediatric Food Allergies and Anxiety Symptoms [Undergraduate thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1651437949756776

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Collins, Adelaide. An Examination of the Relationship Between Pediatric Food Allergies and Anxiety Symptoms . 2022. Kent State University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1651437949756776.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Collins, Adelaide. "An Examination of the Relationship Between Pediatric Food Allergies and Anxiety Symptoms ." Undergraduate thesis, Kent State University, 2022. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1651437949756776

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ksuhonors1651437949756776
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This open access ETD is published by Kent State University Honors College and OhioLINK.